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How to Care for Gold Vermeil and Gold Plated Jewelry

Caring for Your Jewelry > How to Care for Gold Vermeil and Gold Plated Jewelry

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If you have big style but a small budget, gold plated and vermeil jewelry may be just what you are looking for. Both are beautiful ways to add the warmth and luster of gold to your wardrobe without all the cost, which just means you can afford the necklace and the matching bracelet! And, with a little bit of care, you’ll have the accessories much longer than the outfit you bought it to match.

What is the Difference Between Gold Plated and Vermeil Jewelry?

Though gold plated and vermeil pieces look similar on the surface, the difference is in what lies beneath.

Gold plated jewelry starts with an underlying structure of a metal such as brass or steel. An electroplating process is used to apply a thin layer of gold over the entire surface.

Vermeil (pronounced ver-May) jewelry starts with a foundation of sterling silver. An electrolysis and acid bath process is then used to apply a minimum of 10K gold coating. Vermeil typically has a thicker gold layer than gold plated pieces.

When to Wear Your Jewelry

When you find a piece of jewelry you love, you want to show it off all the time. However, to keep it looking like new there are a handful of occasions you should leave your gold plated and vermeil jewelry safely tucked away. Never fear, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to wear your beauties.

  • While dressing: Think of your jewelry pieces like sprinkles on a cupcake. They are the finishing touches that take your outfit from fine to delicious. But, you’d never put the sprinkles on first. All those bottles of lotions and potions that crowd your bathroom counter can build up on the surface of your jewelry. While things like soap, lotion, makeup and hairspray aren’t likely to cause lasting damage, they can dull the gold finish and keep it from looking its sparkly best. Add your gold plated jewelry to your outfit at the last minute so that it can give all the shine you are looking for.
  • While cleaning: Let’s face it, washing dishes, mopping floors and scrubbing toilets aren’t glamorous jobs and even beautiful jewelry can’t make it so. Most cleaning agents, such as bathroom and counter sprays and bleach contain chemicals. That’s what makes them so effective at cleaning up messes, but it’s exactly the opposite of what delicate jewelry needs. Household cleaners can permanently etch and dull the gold finish, especially on rings, so leave them off while catching up on chores.
  • While swimming: Great jewelry can enhance any outfit, even swimwear. But, skip the accessories while taking a dip in a swimming pool or hot tub. Chlorine can discolor and eat away at the gold plating and permanently reduce the luster and shine.
  • While working out: Have you ever walked into a gym full of ladies with perfectly styled hair, with their eyeliner and lipstick intact and in beautifully coordinated outfits complete with jewelry? Chances are they aren’t sweating much, which is the point of working out. Sweat can lead to tarnishing and dulling of jewelry. So, embrace the sweat and leave the jewelry at home. 
Cleaning  Swimming  Working Out  Dressing Up

How to Store Your Jewelry

While drooling over new jewelry you picture dozens of ways to wear it, but when it isn’t sitting delicately on your finger, hanging perfectly over your neckline or stacked up your arm, how will you store it? 

Since both vermeil and plated pieces have a thin coating of gold, it can scratch and rub off. Be sure to store each piece separately so that they don’t rub against each other. Placing individual pieces in cloth bags or lined box will prevent them from getting scratched. 

Because the underlying metal is sterling silver, vermeil pieces are also prone to tarnishing when exposed to air. Storing them in airtight containers, such as a zippered bag or jewelry box with anti-tarnish strips will keep the discoloration at bay. 

Cleaning Your Jewelry

Even when you give your jewelry the best loving care it will need to be cleaned once in awhile. Whether your favorite piece is gold plated or vermeil, cleaning it is quick and simple. Best of all, you won’t need any special jewelry cleaners or solutions. You already have everything you need under your bathroom sink. 

  • Clean your vermeil jewelry with warm water and a dab of liquid soap. Use a soft, clean makeup brush to sweep away grime from crevices and small details. Rinse the soap away and dry with a soft cloth to prevent spotting and water stains. Despite the fact that the base is sterling silver, be sure to avoid using silver cleaning cloths on vermeil pieces, as they will remove the gold finish. 
  • Clean your gold plated jewelry with a soft, damp cloth to remove buildup and dirt. You may also use a jewelry polishing cloth to gently buff the shine back into the piece.